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Radon produces a daughter nucleus that is radioactive. The daughter, in turn, pr

ID: 2069320 • Letter: R

Question

Radon

produces a daughter nucleus that is radioactive. The daughter, in turn, produces its own radioactive daughter, and so on. This process continues until lead

is reached. What are the total number N? of ? particles and the total number N?- of ?- particles that are generated in this series of radioactive decays?

Radon 220 86 Rn produces a daughter nucleus that is radioactive. The daughter, in turn, produces its own radioactive daughter, and so on. This process continues until lead 208 82 Pb is reached. What are the total number N? of ? particles and the total number N?- of ?- particles that are generated in this series of radioactive decays?

Explanation / Answer

Alpha particle : 42

Beta particle : -1

Rn22086 ---------------> Pb20882 + x  42 + y -1

Balancing mass

220 = 208 + 4x + y*0

=>x = 3

Balancing Charge

86 = 82 + 4*(2) - y

=> y = 4

Hence N = 3 and N = 4